This time I am curious to explore what it is, exactly, about Ashtanga, that makes it Ashtanga. There’s a lot of talk about this going around-- from the folks who say they can’t do Ashtanga because their shoulder is messed up, to the folks who have left the method due to the actions of Pattabhi Jois. I’m not sitting in judgment of any of this; rather I’m interested in examining what parts of the method are the most important (to me).
Read more5 Things For New Students to Keep in Mind
So if this practice resonates with you, know that IF you can use it now-- tomorrow-- six months from now-- to create equanimity when unfavorable conditions apply in a small way, like you’re feeling tired or your neck is stiff, then it will sustain you when you go through big life upsets.
Read moreOn Authorization, Lineage, and Where We Go From Here
How about this: our teachers are human. Being human doesn't excuse what KPJ did, not by a long shot. But possibly, remembering that our teachers are human can help us hold them accountable (i.e. less shouting on the internet and more in-person conversations about how denying abuse is not cool, or sleeping with your students is not cool, etc).
Read moreA restructuring. May 2019
I don't need to belabor the point here too much; I've already gotten a little sentimental when I shared this news with current AYM students. Suffice it to say, the Mysore room is one of my absolute favorite places to be, but I have decided to step back from teaching daily morning classes in favor of being at home in the mornings when my kids wake up and get ready for the day.
Read moreThat time of the month: Should I practice?
You have probably heard that you shouldn’t invert when you’re on the rag. Because gravity. You want your menstrual fluid (see? it gets easier) to flow down and out, and going upside down interrupts that process. Good. But what about downward facing dog?
Read moreSolitude in Practice
There is always something hard in an Ashtanga practice, something “just out of your reach.” And that something is different for every person. In this method, you are confronted by that something every day, no escaping it or circumnavigating allowed. Every day, until it gets easier, and then there’s something else to frustrate you. Boom. Progress.
Read moreWebsite Redesign
Hi! I'm in the process of redesigning the Ashtanga Yoga Minneapolis website. I'll be transferring some of my old blog posts to this space, and adding new ones in time! Thanks for reading.
